Letters to the Editor

July 06, 1999

Some fix

To the editor:

I feel compelled to write this letter of congratulations to the Maryland State Roads Department for its ingenuity and labor in solving a major road hazard on Maryland Route 68 at the St. James railroad crossing.

For over six months, travelers have had to experience bone-jarring, teeth-gnashing jolts as they have crossed over the single railroad track at St. James.

This is not to mention the front end alignment and shock absorber destruction of their cars. So now, after more than six months, the State's Road Department spent two days spreading about $30 worth of macadam and some very large rocks into the area between the tracks, and today, June 18, 1999, they really solved the problem. Today they erected new signs in both directions saying "Bump"!

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John T. Staub

Fairplay

Rep. Bartlett forgets the people

To the editor:

I'm writing this complaint, concerning overpay of Social Security Disability. In 1994 I received my Social Security Disability. This process was started in 1992, but in 1994 they went back and picked up from 1992.

In 1996 Social Security sent me a letter stating they overpaid $7,000. At first we thought it was worker's compensation. They told me it was a mistake on their part. Social Security said I had asked for a lump sum up front, at the Hagerstown office which was not true. I didn't even know you could do this.

Paperwork was sent on to Social Security at Woodlawn, Md. I have an attorney helping me with this problem. We had three different meetings and my attorney was never on time. The last meeting they decided to take $50 from my check per month.

We are filing a reconsideration request at this time. I had an appointment with the office of Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. All paperwork pertaining to this problem was given to them. His office personnel said they would send it to the main Social Security office. After several attempts with Bartlett's office, I was told they could not help me because I had an attorney.

Bartlett never even looked at my paperwork. I thought maybe I could get some help from our local representatives, but they seem to want to help the people overseas and forget about his local people who vote for him.

Harry Stevens

Boonsboro

National league an embarrasment

To the editor:

I have felt like writing this letter for months now, but the arrest of Ricky Hockensmith was the last straw. What kind of regime are you folks running anyway? I played four years of Little League baseball at National and was a member of the 1973 State Champion All-Star Team.

I used to be proud to say I played at National. Now, when someone asks me where I played Little League, I hang my head in embarrassment and admit I played there.

Not only do your actions reflect poorly on your league, but there is a trickle-down effect on every league in this district. When my wife and I began to plan our family, I seriously considered moving to the South End area so my children could play ball at National. Boy, am I glad I didn't make that mistake!

I will be writing another letter to the regional headquarters and will also contact my fellow ex-Little Leaguers, urging them to do the same. I sincerely hope they would take control of this league and do what's right for the children. After all, that's why so many of us parents volunteer our time to help coach our kids.

Rod Beard

Williamsport

Rohrersville road should go whole hog

To the editor:

I can readily understand why the Rohrersville property owners are upset over the proposed two-lane bridge on Park Hall Road. Every Washington County taxpayer should also be upset at the prospect of spending $140,000-plus to replace this bridge over a small creek.

Whatever happened to the once-accepted practice of using galvanized pipe, headwalls and blacktop to carry roads over these tiny streams at a fraction of the cost of concrete bridges? I realize we live in a "use it or lose it" society and if allotted funds are not used when granted, then future funding will be slashed and who knows where this would eventually lead, maybe even, God forbid, to lower taxes and/or reduction of personnel.

So, go for it Washington County! Ignore those property owners who do not understand big business! Be like the Robinwood Drive rebuilding project and look to the future! Build a four-lane bridge. Replace the entire road with a divided highway complete with interchanges and maybe even toll booths.

Future generations of Rohrersvillians will thank you for your foresight. Remember the old adage, "Do it right the first time and you will never have regrets."